abaco

“I guess it was too much closeness. We decided to call it quits. I’m not going back,” Lynette Hooker shared with a friend in early 2024, months before she disappeared in waters off Abaco.

“I quit my awesome career, sold my house and gave away everything I own to cruise,” she wrote, reflecting on a life she had left behind, CBS reported.

“It was real bad. I can’t be out there with him,” she said in another message.

According to her mother, the relationship between Lynette and her husband, Brian Hooker, was complicated. “They loved each other but were not good for each other,” she said, describing a cycle of breakups and reconciliation. She alleged that when Brian Hooker drank, he could become “mean” and “hurtful,” and recalled instances where Lynette was physically harmed.

In a WhatsApp message weeks later, a friend reached out to Lynette after noticing a shift: “Looks like things are on the up and up.”

By late February, the couple had reconciled.

Lynette’s mother said their life at sea appeared picture-perfect and seemingly full. But the private messages tell another story.

Now, Lynette’s story has taken a tragic turn.

Lynette remains missing after Brian reported that she went overboard during a nighttime boat ride on April 5. Authorities have since launched a criminal investigation, and he has been questioned by police. His attorney has said he denies wrongdoing and is heartbroken, seeking release to assist in the search.

Through a GoFundMe campaign, Karli Aylesworth hopes to raise $18,000 for a memorial and support ongoing efforts to locate Lynette Hooker, the American woman who went missing in the Bahamas after falling overboard in the Bahamas.

“Anything would help,” she said.

After the disappearance of her mother, Lynette, in waters off the Abacos, Aylesworth is searching for answers while bracing for the unknown.

She is calling for a full and complete investigation, adding her mother’s relationship with her stepfather Brian Hooker was rocky.

Authorities have since opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lynette’s disappearance, and Brian was arrested as part of that process.

Police have not publicly detailed the outcome of that investigation, and Lynette has not yet been found.

Brian said Lynette fell overboard during a night boat ride and was lost to the sea. He said strong winds and currents made it impossible to save her, and that he paddled back to shore alone, reporting the incident hours later.

But for Karli, that explanation is not enough.

In a social media post, Brian thanked those supporting the search and for keeping Lynette in their thoughts.

Karli has asked anyone with information to contact her.

As the search for Lynette Hooker continues in Bahamian waters, another struggle is unfolding within the family, still trying to make sense of what happened.

Bahamian authorities have made it clear that Lynette’s husband, Brian Hooker, is not accused of any wrongdoing. The case remains an active investigation.

But for Lynette’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, the questions have not gone away.

“For one, I don’t understand how she got the key,” she said.

According to police, Lynette, 55, went missing after reportedly falling overboard from a small dinghy during a nighttime trip in Abaco.

Her husband said the couple had left Hope Town around 7:30 p.m., heading toward Elbow Cay, when she fell into the water. He told investigators she had the engine key at the time, and that strong currents carried her away.

But for Aylesworth, that detail is difficult to reconcile.

“Brian’s always driving. So he basically is in charge of the key. So the fact that my mom had it doesn’t make any sense.”

In the hours after the incident, Brian Hooker left a voicemail for his stepdaughter.

“Hello, honey, it’s Dad… they found the flotation device that I threw to Mom when she fell overboard,” he said.

Aylesworth describes her mother as experienced, someone who had spent more than a decade sailing and who was a confident swimmer.

She shared that she wants a full and thorough investigation, saying she struggles to fully accept the sequence of events as described.

Aylesworth also noted that her mother and stepfather had been separated in recent years before reconnecting.

After the incident, authorities say Brian Hooker was left in a powerless vessel without the key.

He paddled through rough conditions, eventually reaching shore hours later, around 4 a.m., where he made his way to the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard and contacted police.

The daughter of missing American woman Lynette Hooker wants answers to her mother’s disappearance.

Karli Aylesworth is caught in a state of uncertainty, seeking clarity and truth.

“I have been privy to very little information,” she said in a statement. “My sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance.”

Authorities and volunteer teams in Abaco have now transitioned from an active search and rescue effort to a recovery operation, according to officials on the ground.

It marks a difficult shift for loved ones and for a community that had been hoping for a different outcome.

According to police, Lynette Hooker, 55, of Michigan, was reported missing after an evening boat trip off the coast of Abaco.

She and her husband had left Elbow Cay in a small dinghy, heading back to their yacht, Soulmate, when worsening weather conditions met them at sea.

Investigators say she fell overboard during the journey. Strong currents carried her away, and she was last seen in the water as her husband struggled to regain control of the vessel after it lost power.

He eventually made his way to shore hours later and alerted authorities.

In the days before her disappearance, Lynette and her husband shared glimpses of their life on the water, moments that now feel especially poignant.

They documented their arrival in Abaco, describing the sea as “very entertaining,” and spoke of settling in, writing, “Not going anywhere for a while.”

There were quiet scenes of everyday life, walking along docks, sailing between cays, preparing for dives captured in simple moments.

Not long after, uncertainty followed.

For Aylesworth, and those who love Lynette, the journey is understanding what happened.

Tears, prayers, and moments of reflection filled Full Gospel Assembly in Abaco on Saturday as loved ones gathered to mourn the lives of Monique Williams and her 13-year-old nephew, Terrence Williams, who were taken in a tragic car accident last month.

Family members, quietly with friends and community members, were united by the memories of Monique and Terrence.

As hymns echoed through the church, tears flowed freely and quietly and the service became a farewell and a reminder of how Monique and Terrence were loved.

Watch as family and friends view Monique and Terrence Williams.

Williams, 53, was remembered as a woman whose kindness was felt long before it was spoken. A preschool teacher, a friend said, she had a way of making everyone around her feel seen and cared for.

“She never sought the spotlight. She was always present, always faithful.”

They described Monique as family-oriented, thoughtful, and loyal.

Her devotion, they said, extended into her classroom, where she poured love and guidance into the children she taught.

Terrence Williams was remembered as a shy but joyful 13-year-old whose smile, loved ones said, could light up any room. A student at S.C. Bootle High School, Terrence, mourners said, had a gentle spirit and a growing love for basketball.

“He was sweet,” one family friend said in a social media post. “A good boy with a bright spirit.”

The pair died tragically in Marsh Harbour, shortly after 8 a.m., as the aunt and nephew traveled north along the roadway. Police say their vehicle was struck head-on by another car traveling in the opposite direction.

The driver of the other vehicle, a tourist visiting Abaco for the first time, has since been charged in connection with the fatal crash. He drove on the wrong side of the road.

The tragic deaths of Monique Williams and 13-year-old Terrence Williams have sent shockwaves across Abaco, leaving a community steeped in grief and disbelief.

In a statement shared to social media, Cooper’s Town Primary, where she was employed, described her as “a quiet storm, a gem with a smile that could light up any room,” adding that the school is carrying “heavy hearts” as they mourn one of their own.

The aunt and nephew were traveling north along the road in Marsh Harbour shortly after 8 a.m. when their vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The other driver, a tourist visiting the island for the first time, has since been charged in connection with the fatal incident.

Ms. Williams, 53, was a teacher, remembered by colleagues, parents, and students as gentle, kind, and deeply devoted to her children in the classroom. Terrence, a 13-year-old student at S.C. Bootle High School, was described by loved ones as a sweet boy with a bright spirit.

“This loss is one that is felt profoundly by our school and the communities of North Abaco,” the school’s post read.

Glendor Knowles, who knew Ms. Williams said, “This teacher was one of the nicest and most caring. The students are at a loss.”

Her niece, McCara McPhee, wrote simply but heartbreakingly, “You’ll in a better place now.”

Another mourner, Janice Lewis, echoed the sentiment shared by many: “She was such a sweet person.”

The Ministry of Education also extended condolences, noting that Ms. Williams served her school community with “passion, commitment, and love for her students and colleagues.”

Leanne Russell, a close family friend, shared a tribute for Terrence: “Take your rest, beautiful boy. My heart aches for your mother, the Russell family, and everyone who knew your sweet spirit.”

The accused, John Porth of South Carolina, was granted bail on Tuesday for $60,000 and ordered to wear an ankle monitor. He is expected to return to court on March 16.

Following the arrests of two men connected to the looting of a grounded barge in Abaco, police are urging residents to return stolen property,and Bahamians are weighing in with mixed reactions.

The barge, Brooklyn Bridge, ran aground in Abaco waters on November 11 after a mechanical failure. The Jacksonville-based shipping company Trailer Bridge reported that by November 13, dozens of people were attempting to remove goods and cargo from the stranded vessel. The company estimated that as many as 50 people were involved.

Trailer Bridge CEO Mitch Luciano called the situation “rapidly unfolding,” saying the barge was “actively being robbed.”
“Our top priority is the safety of our personnel,” he said. “We have alerted Bahamian police as well as the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy.” The company stated that the the Bahamas police unit could  not intervene initially because “they feared violence.”

Click here to watch looters take supplies from the stranded cargo: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1VusAGuu1h/

Police in the Northern Bahamas confirmed the first arrests. Press Liaison Officer Stephen Rolle said two men were taken into custody and appealed to the public to return items removed from the barge.

But that appeal has triggered pushback online.

Lashan McIntosh commented, “Y’all going crazy about return items. We still waiting on the set from Dorian.”

One user suggested officers were more upset about missing out than the theft itself: “The force only mad they didn’t get there first.”

Others questioned whether arrests were necessary. Lovely McIntosh wrote, “Insurance will cover the loss regardless. Ask them to hand over the stuff and let them go.”

Another commenter agreed: “Try let them go. If you chase them, you have to go behind all those other people.”

Some took a more mocking tone. “Catch me if you can,” one user said, adding the hashtag #AbacoChristmas.

Others found the situation embarrassing. “I never would’ve thought to take my boat over and steal washing machines,” one commenter said. “But that’s just me and my character.”

Nigel Bower added, “It speaks a lot about our society.”

There was also criticism of media framing. Several users objected to The Tribune labeling the suspects as “looters,” with one questioning whether the paper confirmed the barge owners’ stance before using the term.

Another joked that the entire incident resembled a movie title: “Pirates of the Caribbean 2025.”

As police continue their investigation, officials request that other looters return the cargo removed from the vessel. It is unclear whether anyone will face charges.

Photo credit: Trailer Bridge

Six years after Hurricane Dorian, one body still lies unclaimed in the Grand Bahama morgue.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the remains couldn’t be identified despite police forensic work.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard called it hypocrisy, the same government that once accused the Hubert Minnis administration of negligence now faces the same problem.

But beyond politics lies a deeper question — how can a nation rebuild if its victims are still unburied?

The monster storm destroyed parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama, with hundreds of lives lost, and some remain missing. A mass burial was held for the victims, and all bodies found were thought to be buried.

Barri Bethel Thomas, who lost her husband and three children in the storm, questioned whether or not the body could be her relatives. She said she took a DNA test six years ago.

In a social media post in August, on the sixth anniversary, she recalled the fateful day, “The smell of Hurricane Dorian still lingers in my nose. I remember with unbearable clarity, watching as the 50 to 60-foot ocean swallowed my beloved family. The last words I heard from my husband were, “Lord help my family…I can still hear my babies screaming and crying out for their dad.”

Over these six years, I’ve fought some of the hardest battles of my life. I fought for the remains of my family, I never received them.”

The bottom line

Dorian’s wounds remain open, long after the storm passed. It now raises questions about accountability.

Featured images: The Atlantic and ABC News

As Category 5 Hurricane Milton churns toward Florida, the Bahamas is under a tropical storm warning beginning early Thursday morning, significantly impacting the northern islands—Abaco, Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Florida is expected to experience fierce a hurricane with a direct hit to Tampa and St Petersburg with tall surges and floodings.

Though the Bahamas is not in the direct pathway of the ferocious hurricane, these islands will experience adverse effects in the next 36 hours.

“Do all you can to stay safe,” Prime Minister Philip Davis warned at a press conference on Tuesday evening. “Prepare now.”

The Bahamas is on the outer peripherals of the hurricane and will experience tropical-force winds. New Providence, Eleuthera and Andros will experience winds, extensive floodings and heavy rainfalls.

Davis announced the closure of schools on these islands and urged residents to prepare.

Meteorologists predict Grand Bahama and Abaco will experience winds and ‘squally’ conditions while Bimini will get gust winds.

Hurricane Milton had weakened to a Category 4 storm but strengthened again to a Category 5 storm Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Its wind speeds have increased past the Category 5 threshold. The storm is located about 480 miles (775 kilometers) from Tampa as of about 5 p.m. EDT, and has sustained wind speeds of 165 mph (270 kph), the hurricane center said. The hurricane center also extended a storm surge and hurricane warnings on Florida and Georgia’s east coasts.

Tropical storm-force winds will accompany the storm because Milton is considered a large hurricane. Winds are predicted to cause widespread damage to property and trees and leave millions without electricity across Florida.

An extreme flash flood risk — the highest level — is in effect for Tampa to Orlando to Daytona.

The wife of a pilot found deceased after his single-engine aircraft went missing en route to the Bahamas, remembers him as a man of exceptional kindness, intelligence, and quirks,

“Chris was a precious man, with a rare kindness and sincerity. He was cute and quirky,” Stacye Love said. “He was wickedly smart. I am forever blessed to have been loved by him.”

In a sad conclusion to a multi-day search, Chris Moore, a 59-year-old pilot from Louisville, was discovered 2.5 miles from Marsh Harbour Airport, having succumbed to the crash upon impact.

Moore embarked on his journey from Sebastian, Florida, and last made contact at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday.

“We are deeply grateful for having him found,” Love said. “He was found 2.5 miles short of the runway, upright in the marsh.”

She requested the community’s continued support through thoughts and prayers for the family during this challenging time, expressing gratitude for the discovery of her husband and extending thanks to Moore’s close friend, Bahamian officials, and U.S. authorities for their relentless efforts in the search.

A private search team located the single-engine Bristell aircraft piloted by the experienced aviator and retired engineer.

The Coast Guard had previously suspended their extensive search, which covered an area of roughly 1,760 square miles, yielding no results. Moore, a resident of the Glenview area on River Road, embarked on what was supposed to be a three-hour journey from Sebastian Municipal Airport in Florida to Marsh Harbor.

The disappearance of his aircraft prompted immediate search efforts by the Coast Guard, deploying aircrews from both Miami and Clearwater stations. Despite their efforts, the initial searches did not locate Moore or his plane.

The case was then handed over to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, which also conducted an unsuccessful search on Monday morning.

“Please keep our family in your prayers,” Love asked.